Like many, I am stuck inside my house waiting for the ice to melt and watching the weather reports to see when that might happen. My lawn is covered in a sheet of ice and my dogs, when they go out to relieve themselves, appear a little confused at the new surface. A live oak […]
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What makes a dog dangerous? Most of the time people think it’s the breed. But it’s actually the combination of three main ingredients: an unneutered male dog, a dog chained to a fence or other stationary object, and a dog with little contact with people. You don’t even need to mix and stir because this […]
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I was watching the television news last night and learned that Animal Care Services decided to stop lending cat traps today as part of their plan to make San Antonio more humane for the homeless cats wandering our streets. I think this is extremely short-sighted of our leaders. You can’t just stop lending traps to […]
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Blind catsmay soon be able to see thanks to a microchip implanted in the retina. The microchip relays electrical pulses which gives the cat some sort of ability to receive light and use it to maneuver in its environment. Because the cat is a lot like the human eye in design and shape, the technology […]
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In Baker, Montana, a calling contest, as they are called, is being held to see who can shoot the most coyotes with a cash prize of $6,000. Local people say it’s the only way to kill off coyotes and keep them off their land. The problem is that coyotes reproduce quickly and the government says […]
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An Air Force serviceman was finally ousted from the military after killing his Golden Retriever. Apparently, in an effort to get back at his wife, he put the dog in a bathtub and slit the dog’s throat. The report says the dog did suffer as a result of this wound. I have a Golden Retriever […]
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A hearing impaired student who was given a helper dog for more independent living has been told by his school that the dog is not welcome. John Cave, a 14-year-old student at a New York high school, recently got a beautiful yellow-Labrador named Simba to help him with the day-to-day challenges of being hearing impaired. […]
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It hardly seems fair. My dog can now lose weight with a pill, but I still have to diet and exercise? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first prescription drug to manage obesity in dogs. Pfizer’s Slentrol apparently reduces a dog’s appetite and ability to absorb fat. There are a lot of obese […]
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Euthanasia, feral cats, dogs on chains, and stray pets: We think it’s only a problem in San Antonio, but cities all across the country are cracking down on pet owners with tough new laws designed to reduce euthanasia, reduce unwanted pet births, and protect animals from the inhumane actions of thoughtless people. (Sorry, but anyone […]
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It’s the new year and my dog Maggie is still here. For the last two months she has been very ill, but I am happy to say she has not appeared sick for the last two weeks, thanks to steroids. As soon as we started her on sterioids, about five weeks into the illness, she […]
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About the Author

Cathy M. Rosenthal has more than 25 years of experience in public relations, communications and humane education in the animal welfare field. She has worked for local humane societies and national humane groups, appearing on hundreds of television and radio news and public affairs programs to address animal issues. She currently is a consultant for local and national animal welfare organizations, writing grants, annual reports and other marketing materials. She is also the author of several children's books about animals.